Time is all you have

"The key question to keep asking is, are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have." - Randy Pausch

Over the last week I have had the chance to do a little reading and I am grateful for the books I have managed to work my way through. One of them was "The Last Lecture" (Randy Pausch), which I decided to re-read as we begin 2024. If you don't know Randy's story, it is work taking a look at his biography. 

In a nutshell, Randy was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer in 2006 and given 6 months to live. Suddenly, everything in his life became extremely focused - he wanted to make the most of his time left on earth and was left with some critical decisions to make. One of those was that he decided to give a series of lectures, that would be part of his legacy for his family and community. If you get to read his book, you will find it is surprisingly uplifting and very moving. 

The quote that I was drawn too (see above) fits in nicely with the verse from Psalm 90, which speaks of the same thing. 

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." - v.12.

What does this say to you about your decisions for the new year?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

You need to plant something

"Sluggards do not plough in season;so at harvest time they look but find nothing." - Proverbs 20:4

If we aren't disciplined to do the small, important things, then we can't expect to reap any of the rewards later. The trouble is that we live in a quick fix society and we often want things without being willing to put the hard effort into the preparation. Any farmer will laugh at you if you expect to reap a harvest without actually planting seeds. You NEED to plant something!


The same applies in the rest of our lives. If we want a meaningful relationship with God, then we need to plant some seeds. If we desire a healthy relationship with our family/friends, we need to do the small important things first. If we want to reap the harvest of competing in a sports event, we have to set the alarm clock to wake up early to train. 

I think you get it, don't you? You MUST plant something!

So, what seeds are you planting today?
What harvest are you longing for next season?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Failing to plan

There is an old saying that goes something like this:

"If you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail!" 

I think this saying makes a lot of sense and we all need to do some planning in our lives. As a staff we have just spent two days doing a little planning, praying and reflecting - it is awesome what God inspires within you, when you give him the time.

So, have you spent some time planning for 2015 or are you just going to take it as it comes. Sure, we can't plan for ever eventuality, but we certainly need to give God space to prompt us and lead us.

Psalm 20:4 - May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

May we plan to walk with Jesus this year - if we do nothing else, then this is the first thing we need to resolve to do.

Living in grace
D3LM3

Planning

I am setting aside the next two days to pray and plan for the rest of 2011. I am conscious that there are so many things I want to do, but I really want to do what God wants. It is easy to make our own plans and when they fail, then to blame God. I am hoping to avoid that this year.

Psalm 33:11 - "But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."

If you are doing some planning and praying for 2011 may God grant you insight and direction.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Planning to fail?

Chris Brogan wrote a great post yesterday about planning. Of course 'planning' in the corporate world goes without saying and people who don't plan will fail miserably. Sometimes Christians feel that too much 'planning' in the Church is a hindrance to the Holy Spirit, but I disagree. If our lives are surrendered to the will of God and open to the guidance of the Spirit, then surely God leads us whilst we are planning for Church events.

What about planning time in the day to spend in devotion or prayer? What about planning and praying over themes to discuss in Cell groups, Kids Church, Sermons and worship teams? Of course, we need to make sure that our planning is not loaded with our human agenda's, but I strongly feel that the only way I can be accountable in my walk with God is to plan some things.

In my experience, if I don't plan a day retreat for myself once every 6 months (for example), then I am actually planning to fail in my spiritual life - harsh, but true for me!

Even God plans....

Isaiah 19:17 - "And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the LORD Almighty is planning against them."

And what about Jesus? Do we think that God just made it up as He went along? No! Jesus was God's plan of Salvation & redemption for the world!

Living in Grace,
D3LM3